Polar plunges aren’t just for the daring
Bragging rights and an adrenaline rush aren’t the only reasons to start the year with a frigid swim. A dip in icy water builds resilience.
Category: Science
Spiders on Jupiter? Scientists uncover secret origins of arachnid-like ‘demon’ lurking on gas giant’s moon.
A new study reveals the likely origin of a mysterious spider-like pattern first spotted on Jupiter’s moon Europa in 1998. The finding could have implications
Detectorists find Anglo-Saxon treasure hoard that may have been part of a ‘ritual killing’
These Anglo-Saxon accessories were recovered from the side of a hill in England and may be from a hoard, a ritual deposit or a collection
Saturn’s largest moon may be riddled with ‘slushy tunnels’ that contain alien life, new study hints
Decades ago, a spacecraft suggested Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, had an ocean. New observations suggest that the liquid may look more like slush.
This giant microbe organizes its DNA in a surprising way
3-D microscopy shows that the giant bacterium Thiovulum imperiosus squeezes its DNA into peripheral pouches, not a central mass like typical bacteria.
The Year in Physics
It in no way reflects my feelings toward Quanta staff writer Charlie Wood that my favorite moment of the year in physics happened when he
Trump’s rush to build nuclear reactors across the U.S. raises safety worries
A new program at the Department of Energy is pushing the development of nearly a dozen new reactor designs at breakneck speed. (Image credit: Idaho
From bird droppings to holiday kisses: How we ended up under the mistletoe
The etymology of mistletoe — a plant with small, oval evergreen leaves and waxy white berries — may strike some as repugnant. (Image credit: Gerry
Only two species can survive in Great Salt Lake? Scientist says — hold my Nalgene
Scientist Julie Jung set out on a hike along the Great Salt Lake to find nematodes. She ended up discovering a new species.
Pompeii victims were wearing woolen cloaks in August when they died — but experts are split on what that means
Some of the victims at Pompeii were wearing woolen cloaks when they died, even though it was August, new research finds.
Diagnostic dilemma: An otherwise ‘fit’ man had a stroke after drinking 8 ‘high-potency’ energy drinks a day
A man with few risk factors unexpectedly experienced a stroke, and his daily energy drink habit may have been to blame.
City-size ‘cosmic butterfly’ carved into Mars’ surface contains traces of ancient water
The European Space Agency has released new images of a rare “butterfly” crater on the Red Planet. The bug-like structure sports a pair of smooth
Mosquitoes use it to suck blood. Researchers used it to 3-D print
A mosquito proboscis repurposed as a 3-D printing nozzle can print filaments around 20 micrometers wide, half the width of a fine human hair.